Articulator



P. FfHlLLlPs April 10, 1928.

ARTICULATOR 3 Sheets-Shed l.

Filed Jan.2, 1925 April 10, 1928. G. P. PHILLIPS ARTICULATOR Filed Jan. 2, 1925 3 Sheets-Shea?l 3 Referi'ng to the drawings and to the-il- `lustrative embodiment of the invention, the

.Patented Apr. io; 192s.

UNIT-sf stares GEozleE iP. Viiirrnnrs, or BOSTON, MAssAcHus/Efrms;

Application sied January?, iszsxseriai' 'ofks.

This invention relates toarticulatorsv uti- Alized for making artificial denturesand conlsists in rimprovements which provide a me- -chanically simple apparatus so constructed las to permit ready adjustment for the accurate reproduction "of the natural movements Vof thejaws of a patient.

1c v'illustration of` one The invention willbe best understood by reference to the followingdescription'when taken in connection With the accompanying specific kembodiment thereof, While its scope `Will bemore par- Vticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

: Bln tliedraivingsf- Fig. 1 is a planfview of an articulator embodying one orm of the invention;

` Fig. 2 isy a side elevation in Partial' Sec".

tion showing the apparatus illustrated' in Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3,;3 in Fig. 2 taken through the svvivel 4post connection for the upper holding armL accurately andready adjusting the artcu#` Fig.. 4 is a similar sectional elevation oir the linev e-iinFigp2 taken through the yholdingpiii andbiishing for the upperjaw;

Figz' is a transverse sectional elevation taken von the. linev 5-5 throughthe upper of the apparatustaken on the line 8-'8 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a detail in sectional sideeleva-A 'tion shoivingthe relation of the upper model holding arm to the side guiding plate and its limiting stop; Fig. 10 shows in perspective the side guide 'plate and 'limiting stop 11 shoi'vsai'ifad'ustment for a trial plate utilized inproducing a guide mold for lator; and f. f

Fig 12 shows a method of ormingvthe guide.l mold While utilizing such plate.

' Aarticulator is provided j Witha base or. rest y' 7,113 .by whichl the apparatus'may be placed on anyfsuitablesupport, the base being proor-javv for holding the lower jaw lmodel.

longed at the front to serve as 'a ixed varm The lend of the prolongation for this purpose is provided `vvith amodel holder` 15,

this being directly under and confronting a 'similar model holder 17 which Iis; adapted 'to hold the upper jaw model.l (When the apparatus .is iiiuse i-t rests upon a pairof supporting feet 19 at the rearandon the single ,'oot`21 at the bottom 'ofv the model holder. 15. Relative movement 'between ,the

tivo model holders visfhad by appropriately i guided 'movements ofthe upper orfmovable model holder 1 7, as Will be later described.

' Each model holder 1 5k and 17 consists of- .l av dish-shaped casing,`preferably vvith flaring sides, in which the plaster base ofthe model is inserted. vThe rbottom of each receptacle is provided With a transverse plate or 'bar 23 (see Figs.'"1fand 5), but is` otherwise open and has at each opposite s'i'de a segmentalzsection25 hinged-at 27 and provided Awith. inturiiedprojecting beveled- Walls 29y which project into the space 'vvithin 'the dish-shaped receptacle.

lWhen the models rare vprepared. and transferred tothe articulator, the holders 1:5` andk 17 are each filled with afb'ajse of softfplaster of Paris and the upper and'lovverjavvinodels placed intheir respective base in central occlusion corresponding yWithfthe medianli'ne of the model holders. The plaster is then trimmed oil lthebacks and sides of the holdkeys holding eachplas'ter base inii'ts initially located position. At anj7 time isjdesired to remove the base, however, each key 25 may be swung outwardly tothe dottedline position (Fig. andfby lmeans of thethumb piece 31 and the base and its model v readily removed from `the holder.` The samebase 1ers and allowed to lia-rden. After the plas- 'ter has set the hinged segments 25 act ljas may be replaced. at any time in tliemodel'l lholder in its original identical relation to the holder and cany there be locked in position by ymeans of the hinged keys 25,;,the

latter serving not only to holdthe base in posit-ion but to Ainsure its 'relocation in 'its originalposition. this arrangement the same apparatus, Without the necessity VAot duplicate ho-ldersor parts,y may be'ufsied `terchangeably with any number of fsetsor models, andthe same setmay ,be separately .l

removed from or kinstalled in thefarticula-tor With theassurance of reproducing at Will the ysaine relationship.y

The` tas@l is is yprovider at" its` opposite end with ak pedestal or raised portion `mitting which supports a box-like casing35 within which are provided the adjustments and connections for accurately guiding the movements'oi' the upper jaw-carrying arm 37. This casing is provided with a cover 89 which is hinged at l1 so that it maybe thrown back at will to permit manipulation and inspection of the necessary adjustments.

lt is desirablel that the movable model holding arm 3'." should be provided with a fio-ating' connection to the body piece 13 perot a universal movementot the arm with relation to the base. For this purpose the arm is provided at its rear end with an upright lug 43 through which it has hinged adjustment about a horizontal axis to the forked or slotted end of va .sleeve 45. The sleeve serves asa housing for the ball swivel el? (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), which latter is carried on the upright post i9 secured to the sleeve 51, the latter threaded into the post 58 presented by the casing The post passes through a longitudinal slot 55 1) in the bottom et the sleeve which is ot" suiiicient extent to permit a limited longitudinal movement of the sleeve and the arm 37 hinged thereto.

This provides a floating connection tor the movable model holding arm which does not Vconflict with but permits all possible movements of the arm and the guidance oi the various adjustments which are here described. This .provides for a rocking movement ot the armabout a longitudinal axis aswell as a lateral movement about an upright axis and an, opening and closing movement about a horizontal transverse axis. Each ot these movements may take .place individually or siniulaneously each with another or the others, and may take place in any one of the 'various positions which the swivel housing may occupy on the ball attachment and which it may assume `as an incident to protrusivc or longitudinal movements ot' the model holding arm vwith relation to the ball.

For the guidance of the arm 37, the latter is provided at its rear end with two opposite lateral extensions 57, provided each with downwardly extending supporting pins 59, each ot which rests upon an adjustable guide plate 61 (Fig. 8, also 1, 2 and Y). These pins supply the function ot the condyles and the guides those of the condyle y:tromi raising: it away. from the plate.H 4plate 61 is carried in opposite trunnions G? paths. The parts which guide opposite sides of the arm 37 while inde aendentlv adjustable, are substantially identical in construction and those on one side only need be specifically described. A

.Each condyle `supporting pin-59 is pro vided with a threaded shank 63 and a thumb nut 65, so that itmay be screwed down tight into the arm 57 or partly unscrewed there- The vertical or side guiding and 69 which are journaled in the walls of the casing 35 so that the plate may be adjustably rocked about a transverse axis.

The* outer trunnion .69 has secured thereto at the outside of the casing an adjusting arm 71 (Figs. 1, 2 and 8},`the opposite end ot which is provided with a. clamping screw 723 passing throughan arceshaped slot 75 in the casing and engaged by the clamp nut 77.

By means oi the arm andclamp nut the been noted at the time.

It will be yseen that in the` neutral position of the arm 37, or that corresponding to a position ot central occlusion, the points et support oi' the condylepins on the condyle guide plates coincides with the axis on which the plates are adjusted. According ly, no matter what the adjustmentof the plates may be, the arm can always bc brought back tothe same neutral point' or position ot' central occlusion.

During the use ofthe apparatus the condyle supporting pins are caused. tov engage with the condyle plates by means of a tension spring 81 which is secured to a lug 83 on the underside ot the arm 37 (see Fig. 8), the lower end of the spring being 'fastened to the tension spring bar 85, which latter can be tightened and adjustedby means ot the thumb nut 8'? engaging the threaded end of the bar and seated in a concave. end. olf a depending lug` 89 in the bottoni oit the casing. The spring 81 exerts itstension in the same transverse plane in which the condyle l guide pins andthe anis oi' the condyle plates are located, so` that it exerts a restoring action tending normally to bring the model holding arm when released bach to a neutral position. f

To guide the jaw arm vin producing the irregular movements which are to similate the natural. movements ot the jaws et; the patient, the arm should vbe guided. laterali)7 simultaneously with the guidance al'orded by the condyle plate 61. For this purpose there is provided on each condyle plate a l plate. 91 (Figs. 1. El, 9 and 10) which swiveled on anupright stud 93 mounted near the 'forward edge ot the plate 61, the opposite end of the guide plate 91 having securednthereto the headed clamping screw or stud 95 whichpasses through an arc-shaped slot 97 near the rear edge ot the condyle plate and is provided with the clamp nut 99 by means et which it can be clamped in a variety of angular positions, The clamp screw carries an indi- Sil ment may be set, the scale readings having gli l ythe eXtreme position the frame partV 151` and can be heldl at any required position by the clamp screw 153. rllhis permits the model holder to be vertically adjusted to accommodate models of different size and for lengthening and shortening the bite. The slot 143 of the arm 37 ,is slightly elongated to allow this vertical adjustment of the pin and its bushing.

The arm 37 is preferably provided with graduations, as at 155,which may register with the front wall of the casing so that the extreme protrusive movement of the arm may be noted and recorded if desired.

To assist in moving the model carrying arm, the latter may be provided with any convenient devices which can be grasped by the hand of the user. ln the illustrative einbodiment of the invention l have shown for this purpose projecting plates or wings 157 secured one 'to each opposite lateral eXtension of the arm 37. Such wings project through the side of the casing and terminate in thumb or grasping pieces 159 of conven- `entf size and shape to be manually engaged in moving the arm.

In installing the models in. this device the centering` pin 141 is lifted to place the arm in a position of central occlusion, the cover 39 of the casing being swung baci; to permit access to the parts within. The joint between the two branches 37 and 111 of the arm is locked by tightening the thumb nut 117. The model holding receptacles are then filled with plaster and the rmodels are set therein, thel upper and lower models 'being` placed in their respective places in a position ofcentral occlusion corresponding to the median line lof the model holders. The excess plaster havingl been removed and the bases allowed to harden, the centering pin is dropped to free the arm.l The spring tensionV exerted through the spring 81 on the arm 37 is also freed by relieving the tensionspring nut87. The lateral guide plates 91 are moved back out of contact withthe tips 105 of the arm and the condyle pin supports 59 and 121 are unscrewed to freethem from any Contact with the condyle. guide plates. The apparatus is then ready for adjustment. y With the aid ofv suitable molds the relative position of the models for eXtreme lateralbite in one direction or the other is then determined. Both condyle pins on the side of the instrument for which the bite has y been adjusted are then screwed down and their condyle plates,-both the main plate 61 and the auxiliary plate 119,-tipped by adjustment to bring the surfaces in supporting contact with the tips of their respective pins. The plates are then set in this position of adjustment. With the arm still in thus determined, the vertical guide plate 91 is then moved-until it contacts with the tip 105 and the stop plate107 is moved back to engage the notched tip and the thumb nut 99 tightened to lock these parts in position.

The model arm is then moved to the opposite extreme position as determined by the lateral bite in thek oppositedirection, and Correspondingy adjustment made of the condyl-e guidev plates, the vertical guide plate 91 and the stop 107 on the opposite lside of the arm. The spring tension is then restored by tightening the tension S7 and the cover turned down which leaves the instrument ready for use with the models installed.

When a patient moves his lower jaw from a position of central occlusion to extreme right or left the jaw undergoes all movements used in chewing. This movement is a complex movement compounded of progressive lateral and forward movements with up and down or hitting movements or those in which the lower jaw normally approaches the upper jaw but sometimes recedes therefrom. rhese movements differ markedly in different patients and also commonly differ in the same patient for the right and left` bite. ln an articulator iti-s `desirable toprovide independently adjustable guidance for l these movements in the eXtreme positions at opposite sides of the jaw, so that the instrument may be adjusted and the `right bite accurately reproduced in all three directions and without interference by the guiding devices which control the left bite. Similarly, the movements in making the left bite should be carried out without interference from the guiding devices controllingthe right bite.

"These conditions are provided for in the above described instrument, since the adjustment of the' condyle plates, coupled with that of the side guiding plates and the stop pins, together with the floating connection which permits forward and backward movement of the jaw holder, causes the latterV in its extreme right or left bite to be accurately guided in a progressively changing path with a compound lateral, forward and up an d down or biting movement up to` the vlimiting point provided for by the stop piece.

Furthermore, the guidance for the model carrying arm in its lateral bite at either side is controlled exclusively bythe guiding devices provided for that side ofthe articulator uninterfered with by the 'guiding devices provided forl the opposite side thereof. The lateral movement for any given side is determined by the plate 91 and stop 105 for that particular side, the biting vmovement by the plates 61 (and 119) and the forward movement by the relative adjustment of the plates 91 and 61.

The provision ofthe scale readings on yen this instrument not only permits the repeated resetting of the instrument to the same point, but permits a record .to be made of the exact condition in the mouth of the patient, an examination ot which. record assists y in [iwf For the 'i 25 `the instrument to accordA with `the lateralv .making a` diagnosis of. the caseandin determiningthe proper remedy. Relative lower movable jaw ofy the patient is lixeid like the natural upper-jaw while the upper m'odel holder 17 in which isgplacedthe model taken from thejupper` fixed jawof the paf rtient is movable like theflower .natural jaw. Accordingly the A.-relation of the models in the articulatoras regards actual movement becomes the reverse .of the relation of the jaws of the patient; that is to say, the protrusive movement of the lower model isreproducedby a" backward movement of ytheniodel holdingarm-17 .instead of. a forward movement, as in thecase ofthe natural jaw,' andl a right lateral movement in the model holding .arm vcorresponds Vto a left lateral movement in the case of thenatural purpose Iof accurately' adjusting bites, I have provided animproved device fortaking the relationsin tliemouth and an improved method lof measuring" the same.

. For this purpose I utilize afdevicesuch, for

example, as thel clip 171 shown in "FigQll,

" which can beapplied to the trialplate and 'u'tilizedwhile the latter is in 'the mouth of the patient forforminga guide mold, which justment of the articulator. 1 Theseclips areI preferably formedof some inturii can beffmadeto determine the adnoncorrosive metal and' have al V-shaped cross section' and 4conformi-in vcontour generally to thatfportion'ofj the edge of the trial plate to which they are applied. Each clip has one vor lmore inturned points 173 whiehmay be pressed into the waxy material `ofthe plate, so that theslip is attachedj to fthe occlusial rim of the trial plate, as indi# 45, vided with one or more outwardly extending cated in Fig.,1-2 ..`Each clip is also pro- One projections 175 having rounded` ends.

y Y lsuch clip is attached to each opposite side `the .respective lateral bites. 4 are appliedl to contiguous portions of -the of thefftrial plate to gage. the. -relations of Similar clips lower trial plate, so'v that when the vplates are placed in the mouth of the patient. adj af cent upper and lower clips bear-.the normal relation indicated in full lines in Fig. 12. Molds'of molding compound are then made f in the usual manner andv applied to each l act tofprovide more or in ythe desired Vlateral bites. y Fig. 12, the dotted linesv indicating'the posiset of clips while the .patient holds the jaws positions for Athe opposite -One such mold is indicated in tion in which the lower plate is moved in determining the bite. They pin's on vthe clip tions yin the. mold so that whenthe trial movement only between lthe vmodel 4holders is required. .'Itwill be observed that; the lowery modelholder 1 5 inv i whichis placed `themodeltaken from'the'v i membery adjustable 'about a less complex formaplates 'withv the ,clips attached are placed Vthe.articulator the molds. can be Aused as, ,a

guide to quiekly'bringthe plates inthgefrequired positions for extreme lateral', 11st;y

ments f of the articulator, the `proj ection'sflf'A Vacting, like 'dowel vpins to` .bring the models sinned in the mi A y e i e site lateral bites. .Sincefthe edge oltheclip 171l coincidesfwitli the upper ledge -rof'jthe each other without interference perfectlfreedom.` .l

vWhile I have, hereir shown Vand describedfor the .purpose of illustration. one specific embodiment of the and platesto the; precise,arrangement afs-. v l

futh vwhenmaking the f oppof- I 1,7151" plate, thetwofplatesgcanimovefrelatively o 'ith 8.0. invention it isl p to. .be

understood that the'fvsame' is not limitedfto relative arrangement' ofi parts r'here'in shown, but that extensive deviations-may be made the mechanical details and to the -ormfand therefrom' withoutfdeparting tromthespirit 1. dental lartic lator i lower model-holder, a model. holdl'iigfaim cooperatively and `movably.. related thereto'V l and located above. the.. fixed holder, a connection .permitting free vmovement ...of fthe" arm and providinglongitudinal, lateral'A and vertical movements of `the' .upper `model .holder 'relatively/to the ylower holder, ythe abouta horizontal axis, and a set offguiding devicesA forl each opposite. s ideofthe army independentlyr adjustable for guiding vl.the

arm in its lo'i'igi-tudinal;lateral and. vertica'l i movements"r and serving .tofcontrol the arm, each independently of the other in respect to its extreme rightand 2. .A Vdental articulator j comprisingf a model holder, e i holder ,cooperatively and movably related thereto, a connection.y permitting free Inovean arm `for a.,secondfmodel .,.1-10` vment of y the arm and providmgior.longitudinal, lateral and vertical movements of f guiding devices for each oppositesideofgthe arm independently: adjustable for guiding the latter in itskv longitudinal, )lateral and vertical' movements and controlling the arm vthe model relatively to its mate,l and sets of I each #independently,ofthe :other in itsre-y spectiveextreme rightv and leftf movements,

the same comprisingacondyle. guide adjust# a-ble about a transverse axis, a. condyle support engaging therewith, a

vertical axis and adapted to bel engaged by a parten theI Varm,a nd an adjustable stop member to limit the lateral movement ofthe arm. 3. dental articulatorcomprising al model lateral l guide holder, .anarm fora second model holder cooperatively and movably related thereto, a f u connection which permits tlie'fr'ee movement of the arm and provides `for longitudinal, lateral and vertical movements of the model relatively to its mate, sets of adjustable devices for each opposite side of the arm for guiding it in ,its longitudinal, lateral and vertical movements, the same including each an adjustable condyle guide anda support engaging therewith, and an adjustable supplemental guide and support to additionally define the inclination to the horizontal plane assumed by the arm in its longitudinal movements.

4f. A dental articulator having a movable model-holding arm and a plurality oit' adjustable guiding devices at each side of the arm to provide plural points of support lengthwise the arm while controlling the movement thereof.

5. A dental articulator having a movable model-holding arm, a condyle guide plate adjustable about a transverse axis to guide the arm in its movement, and a supplemental adjustable plate similarly adjustable about a transverse axis at another point lengthwise the arm. Y y

6; A dental articulator having a movable model ycarrying arm and support, adjustable guiding devices for guiding the arm in its opposite lateral movements, and a centering device on said support for holding the arm in its neutral position of central occlusion, said device being normally disengaged from said arm. Y

` 7. A dental articulator having a movable model-carrying arm, adjustable guiding devices or guiding the arm in its yeXtreme right and left movements, anda centering device to hold the arm in its neutral position of central occlusion, the latter comprising an upright pin engaging a longitudinal recess in the arm. j

' 8. A dental articulator having a movable model-carrying arm, adjustable guiding devices or lguiding the arm in its extreme right and left movements, and a centering device to hold the arm in its neutral position oi central occlusion, the saine `comprising an upright member adapted to engage with the arm and a. mounting in which they member may be withdrawn from the arm to release the same, said mounting being vertically adjustable forv lengthening or shortening the bite.

Y 9. In a dental articulator, the combination with a support, of a movable model carrying arm with means for adjustably vdeiining the lateral movements of the arm including an adjustable condyle guide at leach side Vof the arm to define the inclination to the horizontal plane taken by the arm in its longitudinal movements, and supplemental guiding means also defining the inclination to the horizontal plane assumed by the arm in its longitudinal movements and providinga support for the arm in a diii'erent position lengthwisethe same.

10. In a dental articulator, the oombination with a support, oi' a model carrying arm connected to said support for mandbular movement thereon, lateral extensions carried by said arm near its point of connection to said support and having guide bearing members, and means for adjustably defining the lateral movements of the arm, a guide at each side thereof adjustable about a horizontal axis and cooperatively,relatedto said bearing members to deline the inclination to the horizontal plane taken by the arm in such movements, and a supplemental guide nearer the ree end of the armfto assist in guiding the arm in its said movements, the same comprising a guide plate having a substantially fiat bearing suriace, earson said support` between which said platev is pivoted on a horizontaly axis transverse to the arm,v and a bearing member Vdepending from the arm and engaging said plate.y

l1. ln a dental articulator, the combination with asupport, oi a model carrying arm mounted for freeA mandibular movement thereon, means for adjustablyv definingv the inclination to the horizontaly plane taken by the arm in its movements, including a guide at each side thereof adjustable about a horizontal axis and a supplemental guide for including said movements located at a kdifferent position lengthwise .the arm and comprising a guide plate carried by the support and adjustable about .a horizontal axisA transverse the arm, and a bearing member carried by the arm and ,engaging said plate.

l2. A dental articulator having a n'lovable model holding arm and a plurality of adjustable guiding devices vat each opposite side oi he arm to the horizontal plane assumed by the arm in its longitudinal, manibular movements.

ln testimony whereof, l have signed my name to this specification.

' GEORGE P. PHLLIPS for' defining the inclinationv 

